U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #404: December 26, 2005
Better Fuel Economy is Important to Pickup Truck Owners

A September 2005 survey of pickup truck owners found that improved fuel economy in pickup trucks is important. Each survey participant was asked to rank the following items which could be improved in pickup trucks:

  • Able to carry heavier loads;
  • Better fuel economy;
  • More passenger space;
  • More horsepower;
  • Better off-road capability.

Fuel economy was valued more than any other of the listed items.

Question: Importance of improving certain items in pickup trucks.
Graph showing survey results of respondents when asked about the importance of improving certain items in pickup trucks such as better fuel economy, ability to carry heavier loads, more passenger space, better off-road capability, and more horsepower.

Note: Each item was assigned a point value to indicate its importance, with the points for all items summing to 100 (e.g., if each item were of equal importance, each would be assigned 20 points.) The graph shows the average of the points assigned to that item.

Supporting Information

Question: Importance of improving certain items in pickup trucks.
  Average of Points Assigned
  Light
Pickup		 Medium
Pickup		 Heavy
Pickup		 Total
Better Fuel Economy 44% 52% 47% 48%
More Passenger Space 22% 15% 12% 16%
More Horsepower 15% 12% 15% 14%
Carry Heavier Loads 11% 12% 17% 13%
Better Off-Road Capability 8% 8% 10% 9%

Source: R.L. Polk and Company, Pickup Truck Usage Study, prepared for Environmental Defense, September 2005, N=301. Survey respondents owned 2004 or 2005 model year pickup trucks.

 

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